tagged w/ Afghanistan news
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For weeks, the U.S. public followed the biggest offensive of the Afghanistan War against what it was told was a city of 80,000 people as well as the logistical hub of the Taliban. That idea was a central element in the overall impression built up in February that Marja was a major strategic objective, more important than other district centers in Helmand province.
But as Inter Press Service’s Gareth Porter points out, the picture of Marja presented by military officials and major news media was one of dramatic misinformation, apparently aimed at hyping the offensive as a historic turning point in the conflict.
In reality, Marja is not a city or even a real town, but either a few clusters of farmers' homes or a large agricultural area covering much of the southern Helmand River Valley.For weeks, the U.S. public followed the biggest offensive of the Afghanistan War... more
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A major investigation has been launched into contracts awarded by coalition forces in Afghanistan that are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The probe has been ordered by Major General Nick Carter, ISAF commander for the south of the country.
The investigation is prompted by mounting concerns that the very money supposed to win over the hearts and minds of Afghans is ending up in the hands of the Taliban, drug lords or profiteers.A major investigation has been launched into contracts awarded by coalition forces in... more
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In a hearing of the Senate Armed Services committee this past week, it emerged that employees of mercenary company Blackwater took more than 500 assault rifles that
were intended for the exclusive use of the Afghan police force. The guards routinely carried weapons without permission, and used them on drunken shooting rampages that killed two Afghan civilians and injured at least two more.In a hearing of the Senate Armed Services committee this past week, it emerged that... more
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The Center for Public Integrity and The Washington Post collaborated to report that two former employees of Blackwater are accusing the private security contractor of defrauding the government for years through phony billing, including charging taxpayers for alcohol-filled parties, spa trips and a prostitute.The Center for Public Integrity and The Washington Post collaborated to report that... more
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The United States and Pakistan worked side-by-side to arrest the top Taliban military commander Abdul Ghani Baradar. But was Pakistan, in the name of helping the United States, being selfless or selfish? Retired Army Sgt. James Hanson says Pakistan created the Taliban and they know where they are hiding.The United States and Pakistan worked side-by-side to arrest the top Taliban military... more
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Officials say Mullah Abdul Salam, head of an insurgency regime in a northern province of Afghanistan, is in custody.
excerpt: Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan - The Taliban "shadow governor" of a northern Afghan province, an important figure in the movement's overall leadership, has been captured in Pakistan, Afghan officials said Thursday.
The reported capture of Mullah Abdul Salam follows word of the recent arrest, also in Pakistan, of the Taliban's No. 2 leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, whose influence was described as second only to the movement's spiritual leader and supreme commander, Mullah Mohammed Omar.
more at: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-afghan-taliban-arrests19-2010feb19,0,2331697.storyOfficials say Mullah Abdul Salam, head of an insurgency regime in a northern province... more
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US forces have detained a senior police officer in Afghanistan for alleged corruption and links to insurgents. A statement by the US military said Atahullah Wahaab, deputy police chief in Kapisa province, facilitated the storage, distribution and installation of improvised explosive devices on roads in his region.US forces have detained a senior police officer in Afghanistan for alleged corruption... more
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Ten of thousands of Afghan civilians are abandoning an area of central Helmland where US and British soldiers are have just launched one of the biggest operations of the year. However, most of the area's population, estimated at up to 100,000, remain.Ten of thousands of Afghan civilians are abandoning an area of central Helmland where... more
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Pakistanis are united in anger after a US court convicted Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a US-educated neuroscientist previously accused of al-Qaida links, on charges of assault and attempted murder.Pakistanis are united in anger after a US court convicted Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a... more
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The Obama administration is seeking to expand the so-called war on terror with billions in budget increases eyed for Pakistan and Yemen, with boosts for surveillance and attack drones, special operations forces and a new military cyber command.The Obama administration is seeking to expand the so-called war on terror with... more
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After intensive pressure from the Obama administration, Pakistan launched a military offensive against Taliban militants in their country’s North West Frontier Province. As a result of Pakistan’s military campaign, hundreds of thousands of people remain homeless.After intensive pressure from the Obama administration, Pakistan launched a military... more
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Corruption and incompetence in Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s government — particularly at the local level — have forced a growing number of people to seek the services of the Taliban. NATO says the Taliban run shadow governments in 33 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, are only too willing to help settle local disputes.Corruption and incompetence in Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s government... more
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As the U.S. and its allies try to overcome logistical hurdles and rush some 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan in 2010, intelligence officials are warning that the Taliban-led insurgency is expanding and that "time is running out" for the U.S.-led coalition to prove that its strategy can succeed.As the U.S. and its allies try to overcome logistical hurdles and rush some 40,000... more
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This week, troops led by the United States were accused of dragging innocent children. The allegations of civilian deaths led to protests in Kabul and Jalalabad, with children as young as 10 chanting “Death to America” and demanding that foreign forces should leave Afghanistan at once. Protesters in Kabul chanted "Obama! Obama! Take your soldiers out of Afghanistan!" They wore blue headbands with the words: "Stop killing us!" In Jalalabad, protesters chanting “Death to Obama” set a US flag and an effigy of Obama on fire.This week, troops led by the United States were accused of dragging innocent children.... more
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The CIA base attacked by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan last week was at the heart of a covert program overseeing drone strikes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.The CIA base attacked by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan last week was at the heart of... more
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According to retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Americans should prepare to accept up to 500 hundred U.S. casualties each month in Afghanistan as a result of upcoming spring offensives against the Taliban.
McCaffrey should know. An adjunct professor of international affairs at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the retired general also sits on the board of directors for military industry companies such as McNeil Technologies and Dyncorp, which has a lucrative government contract to train the Afghan National Security Forces.According to retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Americans should prepare to accept up to... more
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Major television networks continue to host retired generals as military analysts without alerting viewers to their extensive ties to military contractors and the Pentagon.Major television networks continue to host retired generals as military analysts... more
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The Obama administration has authorized an expansion of the C.I.A.’s predator drone missile attacks in Pakistan. Most Pakistanis view the attacks by our country as a violation of their sovereignty and their government opposes expanding them in the tribal areas, let alone spreading them to Baluchistan.The Obama administration has authorized an expansion of the C.I.A.’s predator... more
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In the debate surrounding Barack Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, one detail has slipped through without much attention: Barack Obama was the top recipient of military industry money in the 2008 election cycle. His haul of over a million dollars far surpassed that of Republican contender Sen. John McCain's, which was just under $700,000.In the debate surrounding Barack Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000... more
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Last week, President Obama justified sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan at a cost of $30 billion a year, calling al-Qaida a “cancer in that country. The President failed, however, to mention one key fact: U.S. intelligence officials have concluded there are only about 100 al-Qaida fighters in the entire country.Last week, President Obama justified sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan at a... more
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